Arsenal tracking Spanish right-back

Arsenal have opened talks to sign Real Valladolid's 18-year-old right back Ivan Fresneda, with a view to bringing in the player in the summer transfer window. Fresneda has only recently forced his way into the club's first-team squad, playing 9 times so far in La Liga this season.

The Gunners' activity in the transfer window has been somewhat disrupted, after Arsenal missed out on the signing of Mykhaylo Mudryk to rivals Chelsea, with the Blues paying £100 million for the forward.

Man Utd and Newcastle have also been linked with the full-back, but it is hoped Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and the club's recent form will persuade the youngster to move to the Emirates Stadium instead.

The player currently has a £8.8 million release clause that can be triggered in January, and Arsenal believe they are in pole position to sign the defender, as they will loan Fresneda back to his club for the remaining six months of the season.